Dr James Reid
This plaque is located at the cnr of Victoria and Tarrants Sts.
While seven year-old Jim Reid was chopping up a worm in his Edinburgh backyard in Scotland, he told his older brother he was going to be a doctor.
Oddly, he actually studied law for a year but the call of medicine was strong and he graduated from St Andrews University with his medicine and surgery degrees in 1961. Dr Reid also gained qualifications in fields like anaesthetics and forensic medicine – he became a true all-rounder!
Dr Reid’s parents died before he was 15 so he lived with his aunt who employed a cook – which probably explains why he couldn’t prepare food “to save himself”.
After working in hospitals in Scotland and the Isle of Man, Dr Reid won a trip to London where he met a doctor who suggested he consider moving to West Cameroon in West Africa.
In 1964, Frederick James Reid, Baron of Wranghame (a title inherited from a distant relative), his wife Yvonne and first daughter Ruth sailed for West Cameroon where he worked as medical officer in charge of Tiko Hospital and as an area medical officer.
This quiet, young Scot, who described himself as “abnormal” because he never climbed a tree, never used a swing, loved reading and played the piano, was on his way around the world.
A two-year stint at West Cameroon where second daughter Kate was born was followed by three years on the Channel Islands as the anaesthetic registrar before the Reids went “down under” to settle at Murrayville in northwest Victoria, Australia.
The Reids came to Australia to visit – they had no real intention of staying – but they decided it was a fine place to bring up a family – and that’s what they did!
In 1970, after three years as medical officer and anaesthetist in the Murrayville, Pinaroo and Lameroo area and after the arrival of third daughter Janet, the family headed for Cobden where they embraced “proper winter” climate.
The other reason for Dr Reid coming to Cobden was his preference for the private health system, and Cobden Bush Nursing Health Hospital fitted the bill perfectly.
More than 40 years later, he looked back with a great deal of pride and satisfaction. “Many patients have become friends,” he said. “I spent many years sharing the joys and disappointments of the Cobden community, but I was always warmed by their friendship and openness.”
Dr Reid who was a member of the local hospital/health services board for 30 years marvelled at the changes in health care.
“No doubt, we are doing very clever things with body parts, even brains. Generally, I am seeing many more old people and slightly more children – and the issues are far more complex than previously,” he said.
“I remember when we had 12 acute care beds which used to cost $5 a night and I remember when we had one receptionist for three doctors. Now we have two full-time/part-time receptionists, three computers, three telephones and piles and piles of paper. It’s bureaucracy gone mad.”
Dr Reid’s contribution to the area was well-acknowledged by the community (he was awarded a life membership of Cobden District Health Services) and by his peers (the Rural Workforce Agency Victoria recognised him at its Victorian Rural Doctors’ Awards in 2011).
Although he was not a real football follower, he was a great believer in sport. In his early days, Jim Reid was a successful cross-country runner but he confessed the only reason he ran quickly in Scotland was to warm up his slender body and get inside to the fire.
Dr Reid spoke with great pride about his family. He met wife Yvonne in Edinburgh when he was at university and she worked in insurance. “She is a great embroiderer – her work was on the walls of the medical centre – while I could not even sharpen a pencil.”
Fluent in French, an avid reader, a writer of occasional letters to the editor, an exceptional contributor to the health and well-being of many families over a long period of time . . .
Dr James Reid (dec 2/8/2014), thanks for the many years of care, and all those ripping stories!
